Thirty women from more than 12 different cultural backgrounds attended the information day to learn about women’s health issues and practices, such as female genital mutilation (FGM), and women’s human rights surrounding health.

Orange City Council migrant support officer Anni Gallagher said the information day aimed to share culture and teach women from multicultural backgrounds about women’s well-being.

“We want to bring people information and help people feel connected to the community,” she said.

“It’s about sharing culture, they learn important information to share with others in their community.”

Discussing risks and facts about female genital mutilation to create awareness in the cultural community and help women protect others who are at risk of FGM was central to the information day.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2011 over 109,000 women living in Australia were born in countries where FGM was practised. 

Linda George from the NSW Education Program on FGM said teaching woman about the harm involved with genital mutilation was crucial.

“Today is to celebrate culture and promote good cultural practices, but also about teaching women about harmful health practices and female circumcision,” she said.

The cultural health information day also taught women about nutrition, mental health, domestic violence and how to maintain a general positive well-being.